Will Dwight Howard stay in LA?

By Ingrid Cliff on Sat, 10/20/2012 - 11:20pm.

There's one question that continues to pick at Dwight Howard. When will you return? It's immaterial really; the Lakers center is set to play an exhibition game at some point over the next week before taking part in the regular-season opener Oct. 30 against Dallas. The more important query looms in the distance. Will Howard be with the Lakers next October?

He's in the last year of a contract paying him $19.5 million this season and is in the long-term Lakers' plans. He just doesn't want to discuss whether they're in his future plans. "I'm not going to get into that stuff," Howard said Friday in a quiet moment before the Lakers last to Sacramento, 103-98, in an exhibition game at Thomas and Mack Center. "I'm happy that I'm here. This year is very important, and I'm looking forward to doing some great things here." It makes financial sense for Howard, 26, to stay. He could re-sign for five years and $117.9 million, as opposed to a four-year, $87.6-million deal with another team.

"Our feeling is that if he's with us for a year, then our chances are as good as any chances to have him return," Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said. "That's been our take all along -- just get him to Los Angeles in front of our fans and play with the guys that we have on this team and then this summer we'll see where it ends up." People close to Howard said he would base a majority of his decision on how the Lakers fared this season. If they successfully blend their new pieces and go far in the playoffs, it makes his decision a no-brainer.

The media should all make their sports headlines "Will Anyone Stay In LA??????????!?!?!!?!?"

Seriously, this team is a title contender and all they are worrying about is what happens in the next summer (or three *cough* LEBRON *cough*), something that won't be solved until...surprise, next summer.

Their is way too much money he would lose on if he left the Lakers, On my perspective, Dwight is the best center in basketball Offense and defense and he's a rebounding machine, he is capable of being a dominant player and is still one of the better bigs in the league and some of that caliber of talent I would love to be on the team.